Business people in Southport are invited to a supportive event where they can learn from a leading authority in disaster recovery along with one of the UK’s top economists.

Lucy Easthope and Christian Spence will share their insights and will be on hand to chat with attendees.

Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson and Chief Executive Phil Porter will also be present.

The free event, organised by Southport BID and Sefton Council, will take place at The Bold Hotel on Lord Street in Southport town centre from 5.30pm on Tuesday, 26th November 2024.

Booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southport-business-and-economy-forum-tickets-1077263998619?aff=oddtdtcreator

It follows the tragic events in Southport on 29th July as well as subsequent violent disorder which took place.

As Southport BID and Sefton Council continue to support the community in Southport, they hope that bringing these two respected experts to town to engage with local businesses will enable them to secure some of the advice and answers they need.

This event is free to all local business people, in addition to local BID levy payers.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “I am pleased that we have got the opportunity to hear from Lucy and Christian at this event in Southport, as we continue to explore ways to support Southport’s ongoing recovery.

“Anyone in the local business community is welcome to come and join us.

“Lucy and Christian are both experts in their respective fields and will hopefully be able to answer some of the many questions that people will have.”

Lucy Easthope is a world-leading authority on recovering from disaster.

She holds the Government to account, supports survivors and helps communities to rebuild.

She has been at the centre of the most seismic events of the last few decades, advising on everything from the 2024 tsunami and the 7/7 bombings to the Grenfell fire and the war in Ukraine.

Her job is to pick up the pieces and get us ready for what comes next. She is also an author, Professor at Durham University and visiting Professor and researcher at several other institutions.

Christian Spence is an economist and data scientist, currently the Economic Data Lead at Open Innovations Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation that helps people and organisations do more with data.

He’s also Chief Economist and Fellow at The Institute of Place Management, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Member of the Regional Studies Association, and runs his own consultancy, Economic Analytics.

Many people locally may recognise him from his presentations at the regular Sefton Economic Forum events.

Christian researches regional economies, local government (and finance), devolution and industrial strategy using data, analytics and visualisations to better understand and support regional economies and their policy makers.

• For more information about support available to local businesses please visit: com
• For details about help available after the tragedy in Southport on 29th July 2024 please visit: sefton.gov.uk/southport-together/